Latest news with #MinistryofForeignAffairsofJapan
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI's attendance at the National Day Reception of the Republic of South Africa
On April 24, Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the South African National Day Reception, which was held in Tokyo, and delivered her remarks on behalf of the Government of Japan. The overview is as follow: In her speech, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI referred to the longstanding friendship between Japan and South Africa that has been fostered for 115 years, and expressed her hope that, through increasingly active high-level exchanges over the past year and wide-ranging discussions at such high-levels, bilateral cooperation will be further deepened. She also noted that the bonds forged through multilayered exchanges in diverse areas such as the economy, culture, and sports have served as the foundation for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI also stated that Japan would like to work with African countries to co-create solutions to various challenges at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) to be held in Yokohama this August, and expressed her hope that the achievements of TICAD 9 will lead to the success of the G20 Johannesburg Summit. She emphasized that Japan and South Africa, based on the shared the fundamental values of freedom, peace, and democracy, will further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI concluded her remarks by expressing her deep respect for the legacy of President Nelson MANDELA and other great leaders who have shaped South Africa's path to freedom and democracy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Japan-Egypt Foreign Ministers' Telephone Talk
On April 8, commencing at around 5:00 PM for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H. E. Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Minister Abdelatty explained about the Gaza reconstruction plan led by Egypt, and in response, Minister Iwaya expressed his appreciation for the important move by the Arab countries in presenting a unified plan to the international community, and confirmed that Japan would deepen discussions on the future cooperation. Minister Iwaya stated that it was extremely regrettable that the Israeli military operation had resumed throughout Gaza, resulting in many casualties, including civilians, and that Japan had been strongly urging all parties concerned to return to negotiations and work in good faith towards the continuation of the ceasefire agreement. Minister Iwaya also appreciated the tireless diplomatic efforts by the mediating countries, including Egypt, and that he would continue to support such efforts. In addition, the two Ministers affirmed that they would continue to work together to restore calm, improve the humanitarian situation, and realize peace and stability in the region in the medium to long term. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Courtesy Call on Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ms. Eri Arfiya by Ms. Annelize Schroeder, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan
On April 2, commencing at 10:10 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from Ms. Annelize Schroeder, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Eri welcomed the successful working visit to Japan in March by the Honourable Mr. Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, as well as the fact that on this occasion, the two countries confirmed their broad cooperative relations in a wide range of areas including economy and shared the views to continue to work together toward the solution of international challenges via platforms such as the G20 and TICAD. In response, Ms. Schroeder reiterate the success of the visit of Deputy President Mashatire to Japan, and expressed her appreciation for the hospitality extended by Japanese side to the Deputy President and his delegation and stated that she would like to take this opportunity to further develop bilateral relations. Both sides concurred that the visit of Deputy President Mashatire, following the Japan-South Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in February, will further increase the momentum for deepening bilateral relations and they will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the international arena toward the success of TICAD 9 in August and the G20 Summit in November this year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What to know about the first day of spring
The Northern Hemisphere is welcoming Spring 2025 on March 20, also known as the vernal equinox. The jump into spring has come with celebrations and traditions of rebirth around the world for centuries. Here's what to know about the first day of spring. How is the first day of spring determined? The first day of spring, or the vernal equinox, is determined by where the Earth is in its orbit around the sun. On this day, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun, causing roughly an equal amount of sunlight and dark hours at all latitudes, the National Weather Service explains. This year's first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere occurs precisely at 5:01 a.m. EST on March 20, according to NASA. The date and time of the equinox varies slightly from year to year. The Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun on the first day of fall as well, also called the autumnal equinox. On both equinoxes, the sun is exactly above the equator. Once the Earth hits its vernal equinox, the Northern Hemisphere moves into spring and the Southern Hemisphere moves into fall. The Earth sits at 23.5° on its axis, which is also what causes the seasons, the National Weather Service explains. When the Earth tilts toward the sun, the hemisphere closest to the sun gets more light hours during the day and vice versa. The longer the daylight lasts, the warmer the weather gets, but it's on a lag due to the time it takes the ground and water to heat up. How is the vernal equinox celebrated? The start of spring is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world. Here are a few examples: In Japan, the vernal equinox, or Shunbun no Hi, is a public holiday to show appreciation for nature and welcome the start of cherry blossom season. The country also recognizes a seven-day period around the equinox called Higan, during which people pay respects to their ancestors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan says on its website. In Mexico, one of the traditions is to visit the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, according to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Holi, the annual Hindu festival of colors, is another example of a celebration of spring, but it occurs on the last full moon in the Hindu month of Falgun, rather than being tied to the equinox. This year, Holi was held on March 13-14. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is a new year and spring equinox celebration in Iran and other countries in Central Asia and elsewhere. Dating back to the Persian empire, "it is an ancient celebration of life, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness," the United Nations says. Can you really balance an egg on the vernal equinox? The myth that you can balance an egg on the vernal equinox is not rooted in science. According to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the equinox has nothing to do with getting an egg to stand on its own. The good news is you can balance an egg any time of the year. What's the difference between an equinox and a solstice? The equinoxes occur when the sun is right above the equator, making day and night equally long. The solstices occur on the longest and shortest day of the year, respectively. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the North Pole tilts toward the sun and the winter solstice is when the South Pole tilts toward the sun. Both the equinoxes and solstices determine the start of a new season. When does summer begin in 2025? The summer solstice begins on Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere. This will be the longest day of the year, thanks to the Earth's tilt. Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin Teslas in Las Vegas set on fire and shot with guns in "targeted attack," police say
CBS News
20-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
The first day of spring 2025 is today. Here's what to know about the vernal equinox.
The Northern Hemisphere is welcoming Spring 2025 on March 20, also known as the vernal equinox. The jump into spring has come with celebrations and traditions of rebirth around the world for centuries. Here's what to know about the first day of spring. The first day of spring , or the vernal equinox, is determined by where the Earth is in its orbit around the sun. On this day, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun, causing roughly an equal amount of sunlight and dark hours at all latitudes, the National Weather Service explains. This year's first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere occurs precisely at 5:01 a.m. EST on March 20, according to NASA . The date and time of the equinox varies slightly from year to year. The Earth is not tilted toward or away from the sun on the first day of fall as well, also called the autumnal equinox. On both equinoxes , the sun is exactly above the equator. Once the Earth hits its vernal equinox , the Northern Hemisphere moves into spring and the Southern Hemisphere moves into fall. The Earth sits at 23.5° on its axis, which is also what causes the seasons, the National Weather Service explains. When the Earth tilts toward the sun, the hemisphere closest to the sun gets more light hours during the day and vice versa. The longer the daylight lasts, the warmer the weather gets, but it's on a lag due to the time it takes the ground and water to heat up. The start of spring is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world. Here are a few examples: In Japan, the vernal equinox, or Shunbun no Hi , is a public holiday to show appreciation for nature and welcome the start of cherry blossom season. The country also recognizes a seven-day period around the equinox called Higan, during which people pay respects to their ancestors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan says on its website. In Mexico, one of the traditions is to visit the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán , according to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Holi , the annual Hindu festival of colors, is another example of a celebration of spring, but it occurs on the last full moon in the Hindu month of Falgun, rather than being tied to the equinox. This year, Holi was held on March 13-14. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is a new year and spring equinox celebration in Iran and other countries in Central Asia and elsewhere. Dating back to the Persian empire, "it is an ancient celebration of life, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness," the United Nations says . The myth that you can balance an egg on the vernal equinox is not rooted in science. According to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific , the equinox has nothing to do with getting an egg to stand on its own. The good news is you can balance an egg any time of the year. The equinoxes occur when the sun is right above the equator, making day and night equally long. The solstices occur on the longest and shortest day of the year, respectively. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the North Pole tilts toward the sun and the winter solstice is when the South Pole tilts toward the sun. Both the equinoxes and solstices determine the start of a new season. The summer solstice begins on Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere. This will be the longest day of the year, thanks to the Earth's tilt.
